Fine Arts

Overall Philosophy
The Fine Arts program consists of music and visual arts. We believe the arts enable children to have experiences they can get from no other source, and through such experiences discover the range and variety of what they are capable of feeling. The arts teach children to make good judgments, to look for more than one solution to problems, to think from multiple perspectives, and to say what cannot be said with words alone.

Music
The Orff program is designed to include all children through active participation in the music classroom. Every aspect of musical behaviour is addressed: performing, composing, listening, analyzing, improvising, and reading and writing music notation. Music is taught through speech and movement. The program stretches those with previous knowledge of fundamental skills and introduces others to basic concepts while encouraging all students to reach their maximum musical potential. Children sing, dance, chant, and play instruments, and become part of a musical community as they make their own music together.

Visual Arts
In the visual arts program, students develop their imaginations using a variety of media in 2D and 3D forms in the classroom, on field trips, and with guest artists. Both process and product are valued. Students take creative risks, alone and in groups, while exploring materials and discovering techniques without always having to aim for a predetermined quality or standard. Students build on the basic skills taught in previous years and feel a sense of accomplishment as they develop artistically. Students become aware of the ideas and emotions expressed in the visual images and gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to engage in and appreciate the visual arts throughout their lives.